Biology

Course Descriptions

BIOL 1103 – Principles of Biology – 3 credit hours

Emphasis is placed on establishing a foundation in scientific method and the cellular, molecular, and genetic aspects of biology. Not accepted as credit toward the Biology program’s majors, minors, or areas of concentration. Course rotation: All semesters. General Education: Core – Inquiry & Analysis.

BIOL 1204 – Introduction to Cellular Biology – 4 credit hoursApplies the scientific method of study to cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology. Lectures are integrated with laboratory exercises. Successful completion satisfies the requirements for a major or minor in Biology. Prerequisite: BIOL 1103 with a minimum grade of C or MATH 1013 with a minimum grade of C or minimum ACT mathematics sub-score of 26. Note: Students must first complete or test out of the reading sequence before taking this course. Course rotation: All semesters. General Education: Core – Inquiry & Analysis.

BIOL 1214 – Introduction to Organismal Biology – 4 credit hoursProvides an introductory study of animal and plant kingdoms, emphasizing structure, function, and reproduction of animals and plants. Lectures are fully integrated with lab exercises which include animal and plant dissections as well as plant growth experiments. Successful completion of this course satisfies the requirements for a major or minor in Biology. Prerequisite: BIOL 1204. Note: Students must first complete or test out of the reading sequence before taking this course. Course rotation: All semesters. General Education: Core – Application & Integration of Knowledge.

BIOL 2104 – Microbiology – 4 credit hours

Provides a fundamental and applied approach to microbiological study, emphasizing prokaryotic cell structure, physiology, metabolism, and genetics and introducing microbial diversity (virology, parasitology, and mycology) and immunology. The laboratory is a two-hour series that correlates with the lecture. Lab skills include standard microbiological techniques, scientific inquiry and analysis, and bacterial identifications. Students will develop discipline-specific scientific writing skills by using primary literature reviews and writing formal scientific research reports. Prerequisites: Two semesters of college biology and one semester of college chemistry, with minimum grades of C.

BIOL 2314 – Plant Diversity – 4 credit hoursStudy of plant characteristics and review of plant diversity. Students learn Linnaean classification and use of dichotomous keys, comparative anatomy through dissection, and plant kingdom survey. Students will complete a taxonomic collection of specimens from a species list of representative Kentucky plants. Recommended for science majors only. Prerequisites: BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 with a minimum grade of C. Course rotation: Fall.

BIOL 2603 – Conservation Biology – 3 credit hoursIntroduces conservation biology, the science of preserving biodiversity. A new major discipline, conservation biology incorporates biological principles in the design of effective strategies for the sustainable management of populations, species, and ecosystems. In particular, it explores the fundamental problems of habitat loss and fragmentation, habitat disturbance, and the non-sustainable exploitation of species in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Prerequisites: BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 with a minimum grade of C or instructor’s permission. Course rotation: Varies.

BIOL 2604 – Environmental Science – 4 credit hoursPhysical processes of the environment and their interaction with human development, industrialization, and pollution are examined. Labs with special emphasis on environmental ecology, resource management, and aquatic environments from a watershed perspective. Prerequisites: BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 with a minimum grade of C or instructor’s permission. Course rotation: Varies.

BIOL 2614 – Human Anatomy – 4 credit hoursAn introduction to the anatomy of the human body. Includes the study of major tissues and major body systems. It employs the use of microscopy, models and dissection in laboratory settings. Attention is paid to the needs of pre-health science majors. A two-hour lab supports the topics of the lecture portion of the course. Course rotation: Fall and spring.

BIOL 2624 – Human Physiology – 4 credit An introduction to the physiology of the human body. Includes the study of the physiology of major body systems. Course includes instruction on homeostasis and basic cellular physiology. Attention is paid to the needs of pre-health science majors. A two-hour lab supports the topics of the lecture portion of the course. Prerequisite: BIOL 2614 with a minimum grade of C or equivalent. Course rotation: Fall and spring.

BIOL 2702 – Medical Terminology – 2 credit hoursIntroduces basic health care terminology. The use of prefixes, roots, and suffixes, along with the breakdown of words into separate definite components, is used to ascertain the meaning of words associated with healthcare careers. Self-paced learning for mastery of the material. Course rotation: Varies.

Emphasis on physiological mechanisms in regard to disease, pharmacological actions, and providing a bridge between basic science and the clinic. Prerequisite: BIOL 2624 with a minimum grade of C. Course rotation: Varies.

BIOL 3204 – Genetics – 4 credit hoursA study of the major features of heredity, including patterns of transmission; the nature of hereditary information; and the structure, replication, expression, and regulation of this information. Integrated laboratory exercises focus on the patterns of transmission, the nature of RNA, DNA, and chromosomes, and the regulation of gene expression. Modern genetic techniques – such as gel electrophoresis, DNA transformation, and PCR – will be employed. Prerequisites: BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 with a minimum grade of C and CHEM 1224 or instructor’s permission. Course rotation: Fall. General Education: Intermediate – Communication; Intermediate – Inquiry & Analysis.

BIOL 3304 – Ecology – 4 credit hoursConcentrates on fundamental principles of ecology and modern topics of ecological interest, e.g., community and biosphere ecology and biodiversity. Laboratory of a strong field component that emphasizes various data collection methods, identification of local flora and fauna, and statistical analysis. Requires independent effort and may exceed scheduled time. Prerequisites: BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 with a minimum grade of C and junior standing or instructor’s permission. Course rotation: Varies.

BIOL 3403 – Theory of Natural Selection – 3 credit hoursConsiders the theory of natural selection from biological, historical, and philosophical perspectives. Students will read and discuss selections of Darwin’s work as well as more modern ideas in the field of evolutionary biology. Open to students in any major. Prerequisite: At least junior standing. Course rotation: Varies. General Education: Intermediate – Engaged Local & Global Citizenship.

BIOL 3513 – Animal Behavior – 3 credit hoursA study of the history and development of science up to modern discoveries in foraging theory, reproductive strategies, sexual selection, social behavior, domestication, learning, migration, and more. The course employs special topical readings followed up by recitation and discussion plus formal lectures. Note:This course is recommended as an elective to junior or senior students in any discipline. Course rotation: Varies.

BIOL 3703 – Immunology – 3 credit hours

An introductory study of the vertebrate non-specific and specific immunity and how these two corresponding immune responses work together to defend the host of invading pathogens. Connections will be made between the effective processes of immunity and organismal integrity. Prerequisite: BIOL 2104 with a minimum grade of C or instructor’s permission. Course rotation: Varies.

Provides an overview of plant propagation techniques, from seed propagation to micropropagation (tissue culture). Plant genetics and breeding techniques are covered as part of the seed propagation process. Most of the labs are applied in emphasis and directed toward producing plants for an Earth Day Plant Sale. The class will be enhanced by field trips to commercial nurseries and/or greenhouses in the region. Prerequisite: BIOL 1214 with a minimum grade of C. Course rotation: Spring.

BIOL 4314 – Animal Physiology – 4 credit hours

Study of the function of organisms by a comparative approach with special attention to vertebrates.

BIOL 4604 – Aquatic Biology – 4 credit hoursIntroduction to concepts in lake and stream ecology. In lab, students will assess abiotic (physical and geomorphical) aspects of aquatic ecosystems, e.g., wet chemistry and physiometric assessments. Students will also employ various aquatic survey techniques to assess biotic aspects of lakes and streams, including rapid biological assessment used state and federal agencies. Prerequisites: Junior standing and successful completion of BIOL 2204 and BIOL 2314 with a grade of C. Course rotation: Varies.

BIOL 4912 – Seminar I – 2 credit hours

The introductory portion of the senior capstone sequence. A comparative critique of existing peer-reviewed research prepares the student for a study of current literature in a selected biology topic of the student’s interest. Students will prepare and practice two short oral presentations on the initial stages of their research project. Students will submit a novel biology research proposal in draft form at the end of the course integrating multiple peer-reviewed references into a cohesive proposal. Prerequisite or Corequisite: MATH 2043 and junior standing in the Biology program. Course rotation: All semesters. General Education: Mastery – Communication; Mastery – Inquiry & Analysis; Mastery – Engaged Local & Global Citizenship; Mastery – Application & Integration of Knowledge. Note: Students must also complete BIOL 4921 to meet general education requirements.

BIOL 4921 – Seminar II – 1 credit hour

A continuation of the senior capstone research project from BIOL 4912. Students will finalize their written research proposal according to discipline-specific, written research standards. Students will formally present their completed research proposal to peers and faculty. Both peers and Faculty will evaluate the scientific validity and communication of the proposal. Note: Completion of the ETS Biology Field Test is required for passage of this course. Prerequisites: Senior standing and successful completion, with a minimum grade of C, of BIOL 2204 or BIOL 2314, BIOL 3203, BIOL 3304 or BIOL 3403, and BIOL 4912. Course rotation: All semesters. General Education: Mastery – Communication; Mastery – Inquiry & Analysis; Mastery – Engaged Local & Global Citizenship; Mastery – Application & Integration of Knowledge. Note: Students must also complete BIOL 4912 to meet general education requirements.